What Can Packers Expect (or Hope) With the New Guys?

The dust has finally settled. Every fan base (except the Bears) has something to be excited about. When putting on the old pair of green and gold tinted bifocals, there is plenty to be excited about after this draft. However, this draft class holds promise, even if the glasses are taken off and the green Kool-Aid is put back in the fridge. There certainly was a lot of talent and speed added to the roster. Perhaps the biggest thing there is now is competition at key positions on the Packers. Let’s see how this is, and perhaps more importantly, why.

Running Back

Since drafting three running backs, the Packers have cut Christine Michael and Don Jackson. On a personal note, we should all wish these guys success. Don Jackson in particular has overcome some serious things in his life, and I wish him the very best.

Moving forward, there is an exciting group at RB to see. Ty Montgomery is the elder statesman at 24 years old. We have seen what he is capable of, and have reason to be excited with a whole offseason focused at the RB position. The trio of rookies is almost certain to make this group competitive and hopefully a treat to watch.

With Jamaal Williams, we’re looking at a north/south back who will keep going until the whole gang brings him down. He hasn’t had a ton of passes come his way, but he will have his opportunity to prove that can be another facet to his game.

Aaron Jones comes in as a smaller dog who looks to punish those who doubt his size. Like Williams, he didn’t post the highest 40 time at the combine (4.56), but looked quicker in pads. His patience and vision with the blocking in front of him has earned praise, along with pass protection ability. For a guy who is 5’9, he has made his size an afterthought.

In the last round, the Packers picked up Devante Mays out of Utah State. One thing that can’t be argued about the scouting under Thompson is they put in their work on players outside of high profile colleges. When BYU is the most notable college from this group, that is saying something. As for Mays, he has the most athleticism of the group. Injuries and discipline are the bigger questions that made him a lower pick.

Secondary

Kevin King had a Seattle draft pick written all over him. Big, physical, and fast are notable attributes of a familiar, outspoken defensive back for the Seahawks. From the day one in Green Bay, he will be viewed as a rich man’s Davon House. If he turns out to be a student of the professional game and stays healthy, then this pick can pay dividends.

The writing on the wall with Josh Jones is he will take over for Morgan Burnett. Jones may be a bit raw yet, so the hope is he learns from the vets and is ready to fly after his freshman year.

COMPETITION, COMPETITION, COMPETITION

Can you guess what the biggest gain is from the draft? The two weakest position groups for Green Bay have now been loaded with competition. Nothing improves performance more than competition. Without competition, you have complacency and terrible performance. For the perfect example, visit Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

Of course there is no guarantee that running back and defensive back will be areas of improvement for Green Bay. However, the seeds have been planted for those groups to blossom. That is the most important thing that could have been done coming into the draft.

Finally, how was competition at positions of need made available??? FREE AGENCY ACTIVITY! With free agency signings at TE, CB, and OG, there was depth added so younger talent could continue to grow at those positions. This is the biggest reason why the draft has delivered as much promise as it has so far. Free agency activity has allowed the boys in charge to pad the team even further in the draft. What a novel concept.

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John Piotrowski is a UW-Eau Claire alum, spending most of his life in western WI. He makes the trek east to Lambeau whenever possible. Follow him on twitter at @piosGBP.

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Looks like typical Thompson draft–he comes home with QUANTITY OVER QUALITY. With exception of Kevin King, they got LEFTOVERS at a CHEAP rate. Most of these guys will be GONE by end of rookie contracts, like the 25 already gone from last 46 picks Thompson has made in his “draft and develop” policy which is AKA for BARGAIN BASEMENT CHEAP team that can’t qualify for a SB ’cause DUMB Capers CAN’T teach defense or fundamental tackling. To expect this year’s defense to outperform last year’s is LUDICROUS and I ain’t talking ’bout no rapper by same name. Davon House ain’t gonna replace Sam Shields, he’s not gonna make Randall or Rollins any better either. Even IF Ricky Jean-Francois outplays every guy on defense, he’s NOT Julius Peppers. Despite some improvements on offense, defense is even weaker than last year, WHO is gonna protect any leads Aaron Rodgers produces? Just don’t see Vince Biegel being any better that LB’s they already have so he’s a cheap replacement IF he makes the team but they passed on TJ Watt with a pick they could’ve added TALENT to LB core. Until this O-line can really run block–RB’s won’t be anything but bench depth or special teams.

Nick Perry

Damn Dude, should they even show up to play the games??

James C. Drumheller III

It seems like the Packers organization will never please you and you make some good points. You obviously do your homework and don’t just spout off. Perhaps it time for you to move on to one of the other 33 teams who have a better scouting system and coaching staff that’s almost always picking at the bottom of every round.

Pandabucks

This yeat’s defense will be substantially better than last year’s. Peppers was in heavy decline–quit acting like we just lost a young Reggie White.

James C. Drumheller III

I hated to pass on Watt also but we wouldn’t have gotten King. You can’t always have your cake and eat it too. Here’s hoping Biegel excels and makes us forget about Watt.

Tj Coon

If you were unhappy about TT’s draft, I wonder how you feel about the bears draft. lol

Good article! We had no competition in the secondary or the backfield last year.Now we do.

James C. Drumheller III

I think the most noticeable difference this year on defense will be the speed. First in the back end but also with Adams in the DL and Biegel coming off the edge. Our defense should be able to get off the field now on third down.

DP

Pack got major help at DB. LB ? RB who knows. The window is starting to close on the Rogers era just hope they can put something around him